I’ve figured out that hair growth, for me at least, means keeping my hair in a protective style more often than not. If you were to track my hair regimen for an entire month, you’d find me in twists or braids 3 weeks out of the 4. I sort of look at the wash & go style as a “cheat” week, where I know it’s doing absolutely nothing to keep my hair healthy but I get to show off my hard work!

When my hair is in twists (or braids), I’m a lot better at keeping my hair detangled and moisturized.

I simply unravel each piece every few days and finger comb to ensure my hair is knot free. I add more product as needed. However, with a wash & go, my hair is completely exposed to the elements. That free-ness is fun but way harder to keep moisturized since I’m usually more concerned with the “look” of the style than my actual moisture levels. To be honest, my wash & gos look so much better when they’re super messy and even a bit dry. That day before wash day, when it’s time to let the style finally go, is always the best hair day! Anyone else feel that way? Now you understand why I don’t do this often!

On wash day, I usually start off by finger-detangling my hair with extra virgin coconut oil. I do this in small sections and twist each piece as I go along, to keep it in place. This helps me minimize breakage in the shower, since water makes your hair extra fragile. Once my hair is completely worked through, I saturate my hair with deep conditioner, usually the Purification Masque by Shea Moisture, and sit under my Huetiful Steamer for 20 min. Deep conditioning before washing my hair helps minimize breakage even further. There’s something about going into the wash process with strands that are already tangle free and buttery soft. It makes it less daunting and stressful!

In the shower, I massage and cleanse my scalp with the Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner by Shea Moisture. Considering my hair has already been worked through, this process takes me less than 10 min. Once I’m out, I immediately add some Curly Butter by Bee Mine, if I’m protective styling. I love finger-combing product into my hair while it’s soaking wet. I feel it absorbs into my strands better and gives me more definition and shine once dried. The Curly Butter is perfect for me because it’s all natural, so it’s healthy, but it also has a little bit of hold so my twists stay nice and neat. I then seal with some pure Aloe Vera by Aubrey Organics. I’ve tried sealing with different types of oils but they all consistently weigh me down. The watery and light consistency of Aloe allows my hair some body and fullness. I then proceed with my two strand twists, doing around 8 on each side.

I finish my process by spritzing my ends with some water and then sealing with Jamaican Black Castor Oil, for more protection and moisture. I’ll leave these in for about a week before washing and re-doing the entire process. I finger-detangle, with the coconut oil, at least one time during the week (then re-do the style) to make sure my hair stays knot free. At night I cover my hair with a Loc-Soc or Sue Maesta hooded headband to keep my twists in place.

During my one “cheat” week, my wash & go style, I simply rake in some Kinky Curly Knot Today into freshly washed, dripping wet hair. I then seal with the Aloe as well. Once those three layers are created (water, leave-in, sealant) I lightly press my hair with a Curl Cloth to help speed the process of air-drying. 4 hours later, my hair is usually fully dried and ready to go!

To preserve my curls at night, I wear my hair in a loose and high ponytail at the top of my head (the pineapple) and sleep on a satin pillowcase. The satin helps my curls retain their moisture and shine. The next morning, I simply add some Knot Today to my wet palms and run it over the top layer of my hair to refresh the curls and help minimize frizz. I repeat this process every morning, for a week, until it’s time for wash day again.

I'm a natural hair, nutrition and fitness blogger from New York City. Battling a kidney related illness that doctors couldn't seem to fix, I became obsessed with alternative medicine. After months of researching and finally curing myself, it became quite evident that healthy resources in our urban communities were lacking. I began my health & wellness tumblr in Dec of 2010 as somewhat of a journal, hoping to shed some light on my journey to health as well as our disconnection with healthy living. It's been my goal to create a safe haven where our wellness concerns could be shared and hopefully cured, as naturally as possible.

Wow. That bit about hair looking great just before wash day is sooo true! Lol! I also love Lilith Moon’s PS moves. She makes it look easy!

Tyler

I first would like to say your hair is really beautiful. I have color on the ends of my hair and im getting frustrated because it wont curly up on the ends. I wanted to know how to get rid of the color without cuttin or damaging my hair?

Theresa

I am looking for a way to wear my hair down how you do during your cheat week on a daily basis or more than when I can afford to go to the salon and have a professional do the whole Deva Curl system on me (which I have tried to mimic on several ocassions and FAILED) is that a possibility if or if not what methods would you recommend in addition or deletion to what you already have stated. If possible please respond via email